Twisted

Thanks to y'all for the encouraging comments. (I will neither confirm nor deny the title's relationship with Carrie's song. Ha)Wasn't really sure if I should continue, but this story is practically writing itself. I've got most of it mapped out, just need to get it out of my head. Maybe then it won't mess with my dreams. lol. So question: Are smaller, but frequent updates better than fewer, longer updates? Anyway. Enjoy!

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It had been exactly three days, five hours and 20 minutes since they'd run into each other. Kelly couldn't stop the thoughts of the blonde from running through her head. Her genuine smile, how enthusiastic she was about the new songs, holding her hand. If she knew better she would've thought it was a crush. But there was no way she had a crush on Carrie, that was just plain silly. As she continued her internal babblings, she kept absentmindedly running her right index finger in circles over her jeans.

"Kelly?" Ashley asked for a laugh, "you trying to wear out a pattern into your jeans or what?"

"Huh?" she mumbled, shifting on the couch, and glancing from the unlit fireplace to Ashley.

"Well, you keep drawing circles on your pants, it's just weird."

"Oh," she stopped. "I guess I was distracted. So, anyway," she got up to light the fireplace in the porch, "You cold?"

"Holy avoidance, Batman. And no, you do realize it's summer time, right?"

"Right. But It's just so pretty to sit out here with a fire. And for the record, there's really nothing bothering me."

Ashley smirked. "Whatever, I know there is. But you'll tell me when you're ready."

Kelly laughed. What was there to tell? Nothing really. She ran into Carrie, that was it. Sure they'd flirted, but that was completely harmless. And yes, it would be great to see her, but she didn't want her to think that she was seriously asking her out. Though, Carrie didn't seem to be weirded out by that idea, so just maybe...she should stop making such a big deal and call.

"Just face whatever it is, Kel," came the knowing answer. "You know you want to call her."

"How'd you know?" Kelly's eyes widened.

"Ha, honey, we've been friends for how long? Come on, I've been around you for a long time and I think I know you pretty well. Not to mention that suddenly you're humming 'Last Name' all over the house..."

Kelly thought twice about lighting the fireplace and sat back across from Ashley. "See, that's the problem. I do want to call her, and hang out, I just don't know how I feel about that..."

"Aw, come on. Slow down there, girl. She's fun. You like her company. Just take it for that. Don't let fear get in the way of a great friendship."

"Oooh, look at Ashley...being all Dr. Phil on my ass."

"Dr. Phil? Dude, that reference's ancient. We gotta get you a new one."

"Ha, ha. Fine. Well, if you'll excuse me....I've got a pretty girl to call." She blushed as she mentally slapped herself for even thinking it.

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Carrie had been frantically trying to get Ace to drop her phone. He'd gotten in the habit of grabbing it from the coffee table whenever he wanted to play. "Ugh, Ace!," she was getting frustrated. The little rat terrier kept running circles around her. "Come on, Ace...please?" She sighed. This was going to take more than pleading. She dashed into the kitchen to reach the cookie jar full of dog treats on the counter.

"Here, baby..." she cooed. "Come here...look what I got you!" She bent down to wave the treat in front of him.

Ace finally relented and came her way when he saw what she was holding. He dropped the phone as he came closer to sniff his reward. "Aha!" Carrie laughed victorioulsy as she lunged toward her phone, and reached it. "Worked like a charm."

Just as she was about to place it securely in her pocket, it began to ring. She glanced quickly to see who it was before she'd ignore it. Today was her day off and she definitely didn't want to deal with work. Her manager and assistant had explicit instructions to not bother her for the whole day. She never really took advantage of being the boss, but after a solid week of recording, she was due for a day to herself.

She saw the name and couldn't believe her eyes. Kelly. Suddenly, she got the unlikely feeling of butterflies in her stomach. But why, she wondered. "Why am I getting nervous? It's just Kelly." She realized that she needed to answer before the girl hung up.

"Um, hello?" she answered tentatively, trying her best to supress the nerves and excitement.

"Hi!" Kelly practically shrieked. She realized it immediately and cleared her throat. "Hey Carrie, how are ya?"

"Oh, I'm good. Enjoying a day off, actually. You're lucky I answered. Today's a no-call day."

"You do that too, huh?" Kelly tried her best for small talk, but feeling slightly awkward.

"Yes. It's a way to retain my sanity." Carrie walked to the window to enjoy the view of her pool, hoping it would calm whatever was going on with her.

"Gotcha. I think I need to do that more often, then..."

Carrie laughed. "Sounds like a plan. So, how about you?"

"Oh, I'm not in the middle of anything crazy. Just working on some songs, and adding some finishing touches to the house. The previous owners had some...interesting ideas." Both girls laughed at that. "But the real reason I'm calling...I was wondering," she stopped. "Um, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime?"

Carrie smiled to herself. She thought about teasing her about it being a date, but thought better of it.

Kelly seemed to be reading her mind. "...and, no, it's not a date. I'm just sitting here waiting for my friend Jess to get in from Texas. Her flight should be landing soon and Ashley's going to pick her up. I think we're going to bust out some margaritas and play a mean game of charades if you're interested...."

"Hmm," Carrie pondered it. "I was just gonna chill at home, but sure...I just need to change. I'm wearing a pair of sweats."

"Change? Girl, please! There'll be no one to impress here, you know. No boys allowed, so come as you are...I'm actually just wearing an old tee and my Sunday jeans."

Carrie found the honesty pretty cute. "Sunday jeans?"

"Yeah, Kelly deadpanned. "They're holy."

"Wow," Carrie teased. "That was really lame, Kel."

Kelly smiled at the flow of conversation. "Get used to it, Care. I have my moments."

"Wait. Care?"

"Umm.." Kelly stammered. "Uh, well, don't you have a nickname or something?"

"Well, the fam still busts out Care Bear at times, but my friends don't really use it since I became Carrie Underwood," she exaggerated her name. "You know?"

"Oh, I do. Trust me, my friends know how much I hate it when they give me the whole name. They only do it to tease me, so I guess that's good..."

"So, anyway. Back to the plans, where do you live?"

"Right. Well, have you been to Keith's place?"

"Keith?" was Carrie's puzzled response.

"Urban," Kelly laughed. "You know, the guy you just toured with?"

"Ha, ha. Funny. Actually yes, Keith and Nicole invited me over after we announced the tour. Great people, lovely house."

"Ok, good. Well, I live about 3 houses down from them..."

"Oh. Alright. Well, when do you want me there?"

"Jess should be here in about an hour. So, whatever works for you. You can come wait with me if you want...," she realized she didn't want to seem too eager so she added, "or just whenever. Oh, wait. You do drink, right? Guess I should've asked that before."

Carrie giggled. "Come on, yes. I mean, I'm no lush, but I can have a drink or three socially. I'm not that goody-goody you see on TV."

"Well, good to know..." Kelly whispered.

"Anyway," Carrie tried her best to avoid whatever she was feeling. "I'll see you in a bit."

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Carrie raced to her room. She decided that even though she'd confessed to wearing sweats, she needed to change So, off went the Sooners hoodie and sweatpants. She scanned her color coordinated closet looking for the right pair. After some deliberation, "Casual, cute, doesn't look like I'm trying..." she thought as she reached for the baby blue track suit.

"What do you think, Ace?" She peeked out of the closet, putting the jacket over her. "Does this look like I'm not trying, but still cute?"

Ace sat in front of her bed, tilting his head to the right.

"Well, you're no help, buddy. And yes, I realize you really can't answer, but well, I need some reassurance. And no, I'm not sure why I care..."

Ace stood, wagged his tail and let out a low bark. "Ok, you're right. Baby blue it is."

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"You alright?" Ashley asked coming back out onto the porch."I'm about to pick up Jess. You wanna come?'

Kelly smiled. "I can't. I invited Carrie over for margaritas and charades, but I'm not sure when she's getting here. I told her she was welcomed whenever."

"Oooooh," Ashley teased. "Ok, well, I'm gonna go. We'll take the loooong way back."

"Don't you dare...and enough with the teasing," she pouted.

"Aw, you know I'm just kidding. I think it's funny. I haven't seen you this amped about hanging out with someone since...well...." she stopped before saying his name.

"Graham," Kelly finished for her. "Well, no worries. I'm definitely not up for a repeat of that! Besides, totally different. I'm just amped at having another girl friend. You get annoying some times."

"Hey," Ashley held a hand over her heart. "That hurts my feelings, you know."

"Please...just go get Jess?" Kelly asked hopefully.

"Alright, alright. I will be back soon. In the meantime, try not to freak out that much. One would think you don't have any friends at all."